Hello Dr.Corenman,
Surgery 3/17. L3-4 right extra-foraminal discectomy. I’ve described my surgery and MRI results in a previous thread. Over the course of the 2.5 since, in addition to the buttock pain (I’m on gabapentin now), I’ve also developed low back pain that feels like a muscle pull or “strain” – but which I’ve since learned as part of this process could be disc/nerve referred pain. 5 months ago this is something I would have gotten a massage for or taken NSAIDs and hoped it went away.
For example, my low back hurts when I get up, or try to lower myself in to a chair. This was NOT a problem during the first week. I’m afraid I B/L/T’d in some way that has somehow aggravated my healing body. I have tried to be good, but taking care of a kid and healing aren’t always complimentary, even with a spouse’s help.
My surgeon is telling me this is all normal, and to continue restrictions for 2-4 more weeks and then we can discuss imaging etc. I’d like to just know now if I’ve re-herniated, why back pain that wasn’t present 1 week post-op, now is.
Am I worrying too much?